The race got a late start after a whisker-thin margin in the Democratic primary led to a recount, but Peter Shumlin, the State Senate president, emerged as the party’s nominee. He is running against Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, a Republican who is ahead in fund-raising. The popularity of Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican who is leaving office after eight years, could help Mr. Dubie, who shares his goals of lowering taxes and improving the state’s business climate. Nonetheless, Vermont remains a left-leaning state, and the general election is likely to be close.